Crown of Purple Fire (English)

~XVIII~

The sail was smooth, and short, but Tessa wasn't with them. She flew directly towards Rakell's Legion without a second thought. While she wasn't Ingrith's real daughter, the peahen treated her like she was.

And while it hurt so, so much, Tessa didn't shed a tear.

She went straight for the land, but saw that there was a wall. The All was wary of the material, but Tessa wasn't. So while she surged forward, she did it slowly.

She became careful not to touch the wall, so she managed to fly upward...until an arrow nearly hit her in the neck.

Tessa looked downwards, and saw an orange fox with seven tails notch arrows right at her. She flew as fast as she can, ignoring the fact that arrows were constantly notched at her. She flew straight to the castle, every single shot missed against her—

Until one grazed her wing.

The pain seared her wing so hard it might have scarred it. She pressed on, though, and finally landed on the castle and broke into the first window she saw.

The hall she landed into was huge, surrounded by a box of chairs on each side, with one big, purple velvet chair in the middle.

The Fox's throne room.

And in that throne was a white fox, with deep purple eyes and nine tails. A female fox who oozed beauty, mischief, and authority.

Yasmine Erysthien.

The usurper, the one who stole the might of her family, the one who ousted her and her mother.

The one who killed Ingrith.

Tessa snarled softly, and Yasmine turned around to face her. "Well, well. If it isn't Tamlin Aschere's daughter."

"Why did you do it?"

The fox smiled. "Whatever do you mean?"

"Why did you kill Ingrith?"

"Oh," Yasmine said. "You mean the peahen. Well...let's just say she put up a fight."

"She did nothing to you," Tessa cried. "She was nothing to you. Why did you kill her?"

"Because I knew she meant something if you entrusted her with your dear mother's safety." Yasmine clicked her tongue. "Looks like she failed, I see."

Tessa stilled. "Where is my mother?"

When Yasmine didn't respond, Tessa ran towards the fox and said right to her face. "WHERE IS MY MOTHER?"

"Looks like you inherited your father's temper," Yasmine chuckled. "Turn around child."

Tessa said, "I don't believe you."

Then, a voice said behind her, "...Thessalyne?"

Tessa turned around and saw her mother, badly injured, in between two nine-tailed foxes as well. She felt enraged, so she slashed her claw to Yasmine's throat without thinking—

Only for her claws to pass through. Yasmine grinned. "You didn't really think I'd stay here, did you?" She waved her paw and her mother vanished behind her.

"Why?" Tessa croaked.

"You wanted my crown. It's only fair that I defend it."

"It's mine." Tessa snarled. "You'll see."

"I will," Yasmine smiled. "Try all you want, my dear. You can't defeat me."

"Think again," was all she said, as Yasmine vanished herself.

~ ~ ~

Tessa shadowpath travelled to Howlren, and found herself facing Rhian and Laoghaire, who promptly bowed.

Rhian asked, "Is everything okay, my Queen?"

Tessa ignored him and commanded Laoghaire to prep her Iasshari. They were going to lay siege to Sterlinday later on in the day. When the dove left, Rhian touched Tessa and asked, "Is everything all right?"

Tessa let out a joyless laugh, "Nothing's all right. And they will never be again." She looked at him and said, "You'll never leave me, will you?"

He shook his head said, "Never."

Tessa nodded. "Good." And flew to meet her army.

They were all assembled at the shore and met their queen's eyes. But all she said was, "WE HAVE COME THIS FAR. NOW LET US FIGHT. TO GLORY!"

"AYE!" They all responded.

"TO HONOR!"

"AYE!"

"TO WAR!'

"AYE!" They all shouted one last time.

Tessa smiled. "Let us fly."

They faced east, toward her home, toward their home, and flew away as the sun rose.

~ ~ ~

There was a clearing in front of the Palace of Aschere where Tessa and her army stood now. Her wing was still sore from the Theiabane of the arrows, but it didn't bother her all that much. Not when her mother's life was at risk.

So Tessa snarled as she saw her mother be brought up by Yasmine at the tallest tower of the palace. She was basically hanging at this point.

Yasmine whispered into her brain. Surrender, and this will all be over.

But Tessa didn't reply. One last chance, darling Thessalyne.

Nothing. And so Yasmine sighed out loud, and plunged a dagger into Thalia's heart

Tessa's army gasped. Rhian was at her side, holding her. And Laoghaire also teared up. But Tessa herself kept quiet.

She saw her mother's limp, dead body fall to the ground, blood splattering.

And then the bells rang for noon, as Yasmine vanished from sight.

Tessa's breathing went ragged as she heard the bells. Ring...ring...ring.

She whispered a command to everyone in her army. Kill every fox who stands in your way. Kill everyone who stands in your way. Harm no fledgling or citizen that comes in your way, but everyone else? Kill. Them.

The entire army began to fly and scatter throughout the island. Rhian approached, and asked her, "Tessa—"

"Stand aside, Rhian."

"But—"

"Stand aside."

Rhian obeyed, listening to the voice of a queen rather than his beloved.

Tessa summoned the All within herself and said, Enough is enough.

I told you there would be consequences—

And I can't handle them. So I release you.

A leannán—

No. I release you.

The All rumbled. We are one and the same, I will never leave you.

If you won't leave, then I'll force you out.

The All whimpered within her. As you wish.

And as she made her last stand, Thessalyne Aschere erupted in fury as she entered the castle.